Transcript Highlights:

• C. the discount applied to homes due to the presence of a resilient roof system and the wind and hail
• Because with the core, you get a discount toward your new one.
• They are set up inside private schools so parents can get a discount on private school tuition.
• Carriers will likely eliminate discounts on workers' compensation policies that currently incentivize
• And then carriers are going to eliminate discounts on compensation policies that currently incentivize

Transcript Highlights:

• I've had two employers in my district purchase eyeglasses in context, at discounted rates that are passed
• Specifically for discounted, like for example, I have the SP and I have to order contacts and glasses
• , and I get a discount through the insurance program that I use with my optometrist.
• think, something that hit home for me personally, and that's why I'm asking, is that, well, those discounts
• Personally, and that's why I'm asking, is that, well, those discounts, are we preventing those discounts

Bills: SB1303 , SB1343 , SB1435 , SB1438 , SB1444 , SB1641 , SB1765 , SB1916 , SB2067

Committee: Senate Business and Insurance

Summary: The Business and Insurance committee met and first announced that several bills—1765, 1916, 1438, and 1444—would be laid over. The committee then considered Senate Bill 1303, which repeals an obsolete workers’ compensation advisory commission that members said is no longer needed after the state moved to a commission-based system; it passed 9-0. Senate Bill 1641 followed, clarifying that annual renewal notices for certain business certifications may be sent to the last known email address of record; it also passed 9-0. The committee then took up Senate Bill 1435, a property insurance measure responding to rising premiums. The author argued it would prohibit insurers from using credit scores in premium rating, citing examples of large rate differences tied to credit rather than driving or property risk. Members questioned whether banning credit scoring would shift costs to other policyholders, but the bill passed 5-3 after the title was struck. Senate Bill 1343, an optometry-related bill intended to ensure vision plan organizations and optometrists follow existing regulatory rules, drew questions about discounts and incentives but was described as not changing the current framework; it passed 8-1. Finally, Senate Bill 2067 was heard to help financial institutions more effectively report suspected financial exploitation of vulnerable adults and share information with Adult Protective Services or law enforcement more quickly. The author said the bill would remove legal barriers and improve scam prevention, especially for older adults. It passed unanimously 9-0. The chair then adjourned the meeting, noting the next meetings would be longer.

Transcript Highlights:

• , it would, in essence, eliminate the ability for insurance companies to offer these safe driver discount
• Reporting nationally shows that these discount programs offer anywhere between 20% to 40% off annual
• It is, at this point in time, operated and advertised as a discount program exclusively.
• Right now, it is as a discount program. So you could look at it both ways.
• And then now, if this were to pass, the insurer would be locked into that discounted rate moving forward

Committees: House Insurance , House Insurance and Banking

Transcript Highlights:

• It 2025 net of any rebates or discounts.
• We get access to discounts on certain medications, and then we pass those discounts forward to our patients
• These are the same companies that are refusing to give discounts.
• It that are refusing to give discounts.
• Base, you have to allow discount medications.

Summary: House File 369 was the main topic, with House authors Rep. Natalie Zeleznikar, Rep. Robert Bierman, and Rep. Dave Baker arguing that the bill would give Minnesota’s 2024 340B law “teeth” by enforcing protections for nonprofit and rural hospitals’ access to the federal drug pricing program. They said the measure costs the state nothing, aligns with similar laws in more than 20 other states, and is needed before adjournment to help hospitals close funding gaps, support services like emergency care, obstetrics, behavioral health, and pharmacy access, and preserve care in remote communities. Several hospital leaders from across greater Minnesota testified that 340B revenue helps keep their facilities viable and that losing it would threaten services and, in some cases, hospital survival. Witnesses described severe financial pressure on rural hospitals, including reimbursement cuts, workforce shortages, inflation, and rising drug costs. Leaders from United Hospital District in Blue Earth, Lakewood Health System in Staples, Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital, Northshore Health in Grand Marais, Community Memorial Hospital in Cloquet, and Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Crosby said their hospitals serve as safety-net providers and often operate with thin or negative margins. They emphasized long travel times to other hospitals, seasonal tourism pressures in some areas, and the importance of local emergency, ambulance, inpatient, and specialty services. The Minnesota Hospital Association president also criticized pharmaceutical company messaging and said nonprofit hospitals are working around the clock to maintain access. In response to questions, Zeleznikar said she had considered other enforcement approaches but now supported using the original Senate-passed bill, citing concerns about fraud and the difficulty of alternative enforcement mechanisms. She and hospital leaders distinguished this bill from a separate hospital stabilization-grant proposal, saying both are needed but serve different purposes. No vote was taken at the meeting, and the speakers repeatedly urged House leadership to bring the bill to the floor before session ends.

Transcript Highlights:

• consolidating technical administration, customer service and related support functions as well as likely discounts
• working on so east that start our design phase, if you will, which was a scheduled to be a 12 month window

Transcript Highlights:

• We cannot discount the youth voice A successful school supports the whole child, where everyone works
• Loan Fund that got off to a slow start, but there's an application window open presently.

Transcript Highlights:

• taking into account accountability that there will be SNAP recipients who will be looked at to have discounts
• The one time that you can require disclosure of independent expenditures is during a 30 and 60-day window

Committee: Senate Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• “HB 489 helps ensure that those who choose intimidation and lawlessness do not get an anonymity discount
• person who flies into our state to agitate and protest in our streets and then starts to break some windows
• person who flies into our state to agitate and protest in our streets and then start to break in some windows

Committee: House Judiciary, Rules and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• have to spend as much money on buying whatever heat source they're buying, insulation, and better windows
• Lifeline provides subscribers a discount on qualifying monthly telephone service, broadband internet
• The discount helps ensure that low-income consumers can afford 21st century connectivity services and
• </c> Lifeline provides subscribers a discount Lifeline provides subscribers a discount on<01:12:47.679
• The discount helps ensure providers.

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• All four scenarios do include a low-income discount.
• All of our scenarios do assume a low-income toll discount program will be a low-income toll discount
• It was assumed that the low-income toll discount would be a 50% discount for eligible low-income customers
• It was assumed that the low-income toll discount would be a 50% discount for eligible low-income customers
• BRT was briefly considered and then discounted by the IBR program this time around.

Committee: Joint Joint Oregon-Washington Legislative Action Committee

Summary: The Joint Committee on Interstate 5 Bridge met remotely with Washington legislative members to receive updates on the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program, including environmental review, cost and funding, tolling, and procurement for construction. Program staff said the final supplemental environmental impact statement was published in April 2026, with a federal record of decision expected in early summer. They described the recommended design as a single-level fixed-span bridge, centered I-5 alignment, C Street ramps, one auxiliary lane in each direction, and dispersed park-and-ride parking. Members raised concerns about transparency, the closed chat function, and the decision not to include two auxiliary lanes; staff said the one-lane option was recommended through consultation with partner agencies and analysis, but the final decision would come with the record of decision. Staff also said the diversion analysis projected less than 3% traffic diversion to I-205 in 2045, though members from Oregon and Washington expressed concern about impacts to their communities and asked for more detail on mitigation and decision-making. The committee also reviewed a major cost update. Staff said the full five-mile program is now estimated at $13.5 billion to $15.2 billion, with a likely cost of $14.4 billion, up from a 2022 estimate of $5 billion to $7.5 billion, citing inflation, schedule delays, scope changes, and more detailed risk modeling. They said the first funded phase has been reduced to a $5.68 billion package focused on the Columbia River bridge replacement, connections to I-5, Hayden Island and SR-14, bridge demolition, tolling infrastructure, and advancing light rail design. Funding for that phase was described as $5.69 billion, including $2.1 billion federal funds, $1 billion from each state, and $1.5 billion in projected toll revenue. Members asked what would happen if costs rise further; staff said the estimate includes substantial contingency, the project will use progressive design-build to manage risk, and the team will continue updating the finance plan annually. A separate tolling and traffic-revenue presentation explained that four toll scenarios were analyzed using regional travel demand modeling, a toll diversion model, and a post-processing review. All scenarios assume pre-completion tolling beginning July 1, 2028, a 50% low-income discount for eligible users, and exemptions for tribal preemptions, emergency vehicles, maintenance vehicles, and organized militia. Staff said the low-income discount would affect about 4% to 6% of annual transactions and reduce annual revenues by roughly 2% to 3%. They said Scenario 2 was used for the financial analysis and is sufficient to support the $1.5 billion toll contribution in the funded phase. Members asked about toll collection costs, revenue impacts of the discount, and how the scenarios differed; staff said collection costs are expected to be in line with other WSDOT toll facilities, but exact costs are not yet set because toll rates are not final. Finally, WSDOT staff outlined procurement and delivery steps for construction. They said WSDOT will be the lead contracting agency, using progressive design-build, with a request for qualifications targeted for early July 2026, a request for proposals in October, contractor selection in April 2027, construction starting in 2028, and tolling beginning in 2028. Staff said the approach is intended to consolidate scope, reduce interface risk, and allow transparent negotiation with an independent cost estimator, while preserving an off-ramp if a fair price cannot be reached. Members asked for more detail on timing, cost allocation, and the share of the first phase funded by tolls; staff estimated tolls account for about 26% of the first phase cost.

Transcript Highlights:

• My mother had to break out the front window, and she threw us out the front window from the second floor
• And members, I would not discount the Q&A and debate portions on the Senate floor.
• And members, I would not discount the Q&A and debate portions of on the Senate floor.
• You want to get the same week window next year. They'll take a deposit now for 360 days later.
• at our cities, where some of these programs are in place, and where elected officials... ...you discount

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions and memorial remarks, including a moment of silence for service members killed in the conflict in Iran. The chamber then moved to special orders and took up a series of bills, with many measures passing unanimously after brief explanations and, in several cases, substitution of House companions. Early bills included CS/CS/SB 1062 on speech and debate education, which drew extensive supportive debate about the civic value of debate programs and passed 37-0, and SB 1072 on an anti-Semitism task force, which was amended to clarify that criticism of Israel is not prohibited and then passed 37-0. The Senate also approved CS/CS/SB 1230/HB 1019 on PFAS chemicals and firefighting foam, with discussion focused on phasing out AFFF, testing requirements, exceptions for federal aviation and military uses, and support for firefighters and water quality; the bill passed 37-0. Other measures passed without opposition included SB 1706 on the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program, SB 186 on student health and safety and seizure response training, SB 598 on funeral and cemetery services, SB 990/HB 883 on protected cell captive insurance companies, SB 554 on nonprofit corporations, SB 560 on child welfare and foster care medication procedures, SB 684/HB 961 on electronic signatures for salvage titles, and SB 778/HB 569 on forensic client services. Two bills, SB 432 on intoxicating substances and SB 928 on dangerous crimes, were temporarily postponed. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to SB 1134 on official actions of local governments and DEI-related activities. The sponsor argued the bill would prevent counties and municipalities from funding or promoting DEI efforts he described as discriminatory or indoctrinating, while opponents offered amendments to narrow the bill to spending only, add an intent requirement for penalties, and preserve local proclamations and observances. Those amendments were debated at length but were not adopted. The sponsor then continued explaining the bill’s exceptions, including references to holidays, heritage sites, and the Pulse Memorial, and the chamber was still in debate on the underlying measure when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we do have a little bit of a window into what 6 months from now looks like or what a year from now
• So we do have a little bit of a window into what 6 months from now looks like or what a year from now
• So we do have a little bit of a window into what 6 months from now looks like or what a year from now
• Sometimes that national brand has a coupon, and sometimes that national brand has a discount.
• Sometimes it's just on discount.

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't get the discounted rates, correct? Thank you for that question. That's also correct.
• Isn't it an offset, and the value is bringing a large amount of clients to them at a discount rate?
• When the discount schedule goes away...
• When the discount schedule goes away for things that exceed the annual maximum, who pays the difference
• in the delta between the discount that's now gone off the policy benefit?

Summary: The House convened, completed the roll call, prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions and recognitions, including guests from a South African refugee program, Weatherford Middle School students, international students, and the 2025 Aviation State Teacher of the Year, Sam Madewell. Representative Ranson also presented remarks for International Student Recognition Day, highlighting the economic and cultural contributions of international students in Oklahoma. The chamber then took up House Bill 4329 on dental insurance claims, with Pro Tem Moore arguing it would restore fairness by preventing insurers from controlling prices for services they do not cover; the bill drew questions about free-market effects, rural dentistry, and premiums, but Moore said it should not raise costs and noted similar laws in other states. HB 4329 passed 91-5. The House also passed House Bill 2730, which ties the interest rate on taxpayer underpayments to market rates rather than a fixed statutory rate, after brief questions about how the rate would fluctuate; it passed 87-11. House Bill 3465, extending the sunset on the emission tax credit program from July 1, 2027 to July 1, 2029, passed 82-16. House Bill 4426, extending the sunset on the strategic industrial development enhancement sales tax credit from December 31, 2027 to December 31, 2032, passed 76-20. During announcements, members noted upcoming committee meetings, a rural caucus with OSU President Hess, a devotional, and a lunch event tied to International Student Recognition Day. The House then recessed until the next day, Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• That means the discount and the mandate that good drivers get the lowest rate is meaningless.
• If one group gets a discount purely for signing up, everyone else pays for that.
• If one group gets a discount purely for signing up, everyone else pays for that.
• And she got a discount on her insurance. So people actually do get a discount on it.
• And utilizing that to, you know, discount, so forth. You know, you're a good driver, bad driver.

Committee: Senate Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill allows HCA to establish an Numbers of drugs distributed and the discounts provided.
• Data showing the volume of duplicate discounts in Washington.
• Covered entities get the discounts up front, so you can have drug costs cheaper in one of two ways.
• The covered entity keeps the discounts and our employees pay more.
• And before we actually ensure that discounts go to benefit patients...

Bills: SB5420 , SB5877 , SB5868 , SB5109 , SB5832 , SB5922 , SB5944 , SB5988 , SB6065 , SB6103 , SB6151

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: veterans, military spouses, service members, uniformed services, National Guard, reservists, active duty, qualifying discharge, veterans preference, hiring preference, public employment, state benefits, license renewal, professional licensing, retirement service credit, pension, public retirement system, Washington RCW, military leave, reemployment rights

Transcript Highlights:

• That means the discount and the mandate that good drivers get the lowest rate is meaningless.
• And for those drivers who choose the telematics discount, everyone else will be paying for that because
• If one group gets a discount purely for signing up, everyone else pays for that.
• And she got a discount on her insurance. So people actually do get a discount on it.
• And utilizing that to, you know, discount, so forth. You know, you're a good driver, bad driver.

Summary: The committee heard several insurance-related bills. AB 69, AB 1554, and AB 1680 all focused on California’s insurance market and the Fair Plan. AB 69 would require clearer notices to Fair Plan policyholders about coverage options, quarterly public reporting on clearinghouse programs, and additional broker/agent training to help depopulate the Fair Plan while preserving consumer choice. AB 1554 would require the California Earthquake Authority to post its annual report online and send it to relevant committees, and would direct the Insurance Commissioner to convene a working group on incorporating hazard mitigation into risk-transfer recommendations. AB 1680 would require the Fair Plan to comply with CDI examination findings, hire more staff, and improve clearinghouse operations; the Fair Plan moved from opposition to neutral after amendments, and the department said the bill would strengthen accountability and consumer protections. These bills were held pending quorum or taken up later, with authors requesting aye votes. AB 2198, by Assemblymember Rodriguez, would clarify title insurance rate-filing rules by specifying that title insurers file title rates and underwritten title companies file escrow rates, reducing duplicative filings and requiring rate schedules to be posted online. The California Land Title Association supported the bill, saying it codified longstanding practice and improved transparency, while the department continued discussions about possible revisions. The bill was left open for further questions and a later vote. AB 1795, by Assemblymember Gibson, would create statewide standards for inspecting, testing, and remediating smoke damage in wildfire-affected homes. The author and the Department of Insurance said the bill would establish science-based standards, protect survivors from unsafe reentry, require training and certification for relevant professionals, and improve claims handling; the department also described serious gaps found in its Fair Plan examination and recent wildfire claims. Insurers and some residents opposed or opposed unless amended, arguing the bill was still too broad, could raise costs, relied too much on industry standards, and left unresolved issues about legal standards, timing, and coverage. The bill remained under discussion, with the author saying negotiations would continue. AB 311, by Assemblymember McKinnor, would create an optional telematics-based auto insurance program to reward safer driving and improve road safety. Supporters, including road-safety advocates, victims’ families, and some insurance representatives, argued telematics could reduce speeding and distracted driving and save lives. Opponents, including privacy and consumer groups, argued the bill would create opaque surveillance pricing, undermine Prop. 103, and raise privacy and fairness concerns. After extensive debate, the committee passed the bill on a 3-0 vote and placed it on call. AB 1798, by Assemblymember Wilson, would bar life and disability insurers from using non-diagnostic genetic information from direct-to-consumer or other predictive genetic testing to deny coverage or raise premiums, while preserving use of medical history and family history and allowing consideration of certain high-value policies above $1.5 million. Supporters said the bill would reduce genetic discrimination and encourage testing; insurers argued genetic information is relevant to underwriting and warned the bill could raise costs and create inconsistencies. The committee chair and members noted the bill was close to agreement but still needed work, and the bill was moved with a 3-0 vote and placed on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• So they build in to their credit card price the credit card fee they can charge a cash discount that
• Help me understand why a credit card surcharge would be so much more beneficial than a cash discount.
• Some people might just put up a sign that says 5% discount for cash.
• Massachusetts and Connecticut, because we have that provision that says you can offer a cash discount
• for members of the committee my last question is do you still get discounts at dairy queen for going

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses

Summary: The Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Business held an informational hearing focused on the conditions facing small and micro businesses in Massachusetts and the state programs intended to support them. Chairs Andy Vargas and Adam Gomez opened by emphasizing equitable economic development, the importance of CDFIs, and the need to help underserved entrepreneurs, especially women, minorities, veterans, immigrants, and other groups facing barriers. Committee members noted the hearing would not take up bills, and testimony was limited to 10 minutes per organization. State and quasi-public agency witnesses described current programs and funding. Dico Gibral of the Executive Office of Economic Development highlighted the Business Front Door, multilingual access, small business office hours in Gateway Cities, and funding in the Mass Leads Act, including support for CDFIs, small business technology, and capital grants. Tom Hooper of Commonwealth Corporation described workforce training programs such as the Workforce Training Fund, Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund, and Career Technical Initiative, saying they help small businesses train workers, fill labor shortages, and support returning citizens and people with disabilities. Committee members asked about federal funding uncertainty, workforce migration, training schedules, and program uptake. Business and advocacy groups focused on cost pressures and regulatory burdens. The Massachusetts Restaurant Association urged continuation of outdoor dining and takeout alcohol sales, and pressed for relief from high credit card swipe fees, support for surcharging, and streamlining municipal licensing. The Retailers Association of Massachusetts cited survey results showing inflation, utility costs, payroll taxes, health insurance, and interchange fees as major concerns, and said many members might sell or close within five years; it also backed ending the state prohibition on surcharging and creating an Office of Main Streets Massachusetts. MACDC, BECKMA, and the Coalition for an Equitable Economy emphasized the need for more technical assistance, CDFI and small business funding, and protections against rising costs, tariffs, supply chain disruptions, and immigration enforcement impacts on immigrant-heavy business districts. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, now HIPAA's out the window because we get to find out what their medical condition is.
• But secondly, typically, providers have a discounted rate for cash payers, private payers, so it's never
• And their words, "I don't understand what that gray stuff was that was on the windows."
• So basically, you're creating a limit in a very narrow window in what you're going to get. ...be embraced
• Workers' comp rates are heavily regulated and deeply discounted, using them as a benchmark for private

Bills: SB30 , SB517 , SB1313 , SB1314 , SB1316 , SB1541 , SB1698 , SB1845 , SB1860 , SB2420 , SB2429

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: gambling, criminal offenses, penalties, defense, electronic devices, tobacco advertising, youth protection, public health, criminal offense, retailer regulation, e-cigarettes, nicotine products, health, public safety, regulation, advertising restrictions, health and safety, elections, election audit, county elections

Summary: The Senate Committee on State Affairs convened to discuss several critical pieces of legislation including SB30 and SB38. Senator Betancourt introduced a committee substitute for SB38 which underwent a smooth adoption process, moving it favorably toward the Senate. The meeting featured a mix of invited testimonies where both proponents and opponents took the floor. One notable highlight included a testimony from Melissa Casey, who criticized the current legal state as prone to fraud and detrimental to both insurers and the public at large, contending that it inflated insurance costs across the board. The discussions delved deeply into the implications of the bills on judicial processes and potential insurance ramifications, with spirited debates surrounding issues of non-economic damages and jury rights. The atmosphere remained engaged as committee members heard varied perspectives on the bills, showcasing a robust democratic process. The meeting underscored the importance of public testimony in shaping legislation, ensuring that multiple voices were considered as the committee pressed on towards making decisions that affect the legal landscape of Texas.

Transcript Highlights:

• All of the radiators, there's one at each window, have had to be replaced.
• The window project is another big one that's been going on.
• They still have to come back and do some window shades and things like that.
• up on a hill, and your windows are over 40 years old.
• They still have to come back and do some window shades and things like that.

Committee: Joint Government Finance Committee

Summary: The committee first received a general fund and revenue update from the Office of Management and Budget. Staff reported that the state started the biennium about $176 million above prior estimates, but year-to-date revenues were now running below legislative forecast, mainly due to lower individual income tax and sales tax collections. The budget stabilization fund was above its cap, the legacy fund continued to grow, and oil revenues were slightly above forecast overall. Members also asked about federal funding uncertainty and mineral leasing variability, and OMB said agencies would be asked to address potential federal reductions case by case during budget preparation. The committee then reviewed compliance reports and trust fund analysis materials, followed by a bill draft for a fixed-route city transportation grant program. Testimony from transit officials in Fargo and Minot supported the proposal, saying state aid would help match federal transit funds and support operations, but members raised questions about the funding source, fare structures, and whether the program should be limited to the current four fixed-route cities or allow future eligible cities. Several members asked for more time to study the formula and possible funding options before moving the bill forward. Next, the committee approved a bill draft repealing obsolete language related to a proposed North Dakota-South Dakota bi-state authority. Staff explained the provision had been unused for about 30 years and that existing law likely already allowed joint powers agreements without the specific language. The committee voted to adopt the repeal bill draft. The Department of Commerce and the Northern Plains UAS Test Site then provided an update on uncrewed aircraft system initiatives, including the Vantis radar data enclave, the drone replacement program, and future revenue models. Officials said North Dakota had received FAA approval to operate the radar data pathfinder, had begun replacing non-compliant drones from restricted foreign sources, and was working on phased procurement and cost-recovery plans. Members asked about deadlines, funding, supply-chain issues, and how the system would be used; staff said the federal restrictions were already in effect and that Vantis was being positioned as infrastructure for future beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations. Finally, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation presented on the design of a new minimum-security prison and on a reentry housing task force. The new facility is planned for the penitentiary grounds, with a reduced estimated cost of about $263 million, 600 beds initially, possible expansion to 732 beds, and completion projected around 2031 if funded in 2027. The reentry housing task force described a data-driven effort to identify housing needs for people leaving incarceration, with the goal of reducing homelessness and recidivism through targeted housing support and possible subsidies. Members asked about staffing, site selection, housing duration, and whether employment and transportation needs would be included in the assessment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I would add to that 340B, as well as discount programs.
• So you can actually achieve greater discounts in an SPAP than you can for your Medicaid program.
• So it provides a mechanism for discounted access to drugs needed for behavioral health treatment.
• Look at alternatives for your drug discount program.
• 340B, and whatever drug discount program you enter into.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee